LATE LATE SHOW GIVES DUFFY A REASON TO SMILE

Dundalk have moved six points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division after Michael Duffy’s solitary goal saw off Limerick FC at the Markets Field.

Duffy’s strike broke a resolute Limerick team’s heart and the Dundalk midfielder admitted after the game that the victory was the perfect response to their defeat to Shamrock Rovers last Tuesday.

“It’s a brilliant night for us,” said Duffy. “We bounced back in the way we needed to after Tuesday night which was disappointing for us. It was a tough game but we are happy to get the three points.”

Dundalk were struggling to create any guilt edged chances before Duffy popped up with the winner and the winger was happy to be the right man in the right place.

“Patrick McEleney got the ball, held onto it for a while and beat a couple of guys. He got a shot off and it broke to Pat (Hoban).

“It could have been a penalty. I’m not too sure, I’ll have to watch it back. It feel really nicely for me and thankfully it went in.”

The vociferous travelling Dundalk fans were keeping up to date with the goings on in Cork, a result which could have a serious bearing on where the league title ends up this season.

“We weren’t too sure on what the score was but once we went one up I just heard the crowd roaring around the 83rd or 84th minute so I knew something had happened,” said Duffy.

“I didn’t know whether it was an equaliser or a draw or what the score was but I knew we just had to hold on because the crowd was going mad. We did and we have our six point gap back.

“It feels good and there isn’t that many games left. It’s in our hands really and that’s the way you want it to be.”

Despite Limerick’s resistance, the Dundalk winger never lost faith that his side would grind out the vital three points.

“We have got a few late winners this year. We knew we were going to get a chance at some stage. We just needed to stick in. We were on top and had to keep going and going and thankfully I got in for the goal.”